Finding the Third Proportional to 21,398 and 31,542

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   21,398 : 31,542 = 31,542 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   21,398/31,542 = 31,542/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   21,398x = 31,542 × 31,542
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   21,398x = 994,897,764
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 994,897,764/21,398
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 46,494.90